Srinagar-Sharjah flight grounded after Pak’s airspace denial

Samaan Lateef

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Srinagar, April 19

Months after Union Home Minister launched the Srinagar-Sharjah flight with much fanfare from Srinagar airport, officials say the flight has been suspended due to the airspace restriction by Pakistan.

The Go First, which operated the flight, is tightlipped over the issue but sources say the flight was suspended in January.

“It was not economically viable because of denial of airspace by Pakistan,” an official privy to the development said.

“The Srinagar-Sharjah flight is not operating now. The last flight operated in the last week of January,” Srinagar Airport Director Kuldeep Singh told The Tribune.

The reasons behind its suspension are known to the airlines, Singh said.

For the past many weeks travel agents have been complaining about the cancellation of the flight close to the date of departure.

An airline official said the direct flight service was in the “system and schedule of the airline” and could be resumed if Pakistan provides airspace.

The Srinagar-Sharjah flight was flagged-off by Amit Shah on October 23 with much fanfare. It was said the flight will help boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Within 10 days, Pakistan disallowed the use of its air space. It led to a detour of this direct flight and made tickets costlier.

India requested Pakistan to grant overflight rights for the flight.